Welcome to the Environmental Resource Center of Crowder
College. Established in 1959, the ERC was the first school in the
nation designed specifically for training water and wastewater
professionals. We offer a wide variety of water, wastewater, safety
management and hazardous materials training. The campus is located in
southwest Missouri and has been designated at the Missouri State Training
Center or water/wastewater operators by the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources. The ERC house in Smith Hall, contains administrative and
instructional offices, classrooms and analytical, mechanical, electrical and
hydraulic laboratories.

The ERC offers two degree programs through on-campus curriculum.
Option one is the completion of an Environmental Health Technology
Certificate. This certificate can be completed in one year and
successful graduates will hold a Class "D" Water Treatment Certification as
well as a Class "D" Wastewater Treatment Certification. This option
allows students a minimal educational commitment with immediate employment
options.

Students may choose to complete a
two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Health
Technology by completing an additional 12 credit hours. Degree holders
may be more employable and can demand higher salaries and positions of
responsibility. Some students may decide to transfer their AAS degree
to a 4 year institution in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Environmental
Health or a related. field.

The average number of job openings for water/wastewater
technicians is 3,820 per year. Graduates holding the "D" level
certification can expect to earn an average of $14.26 per hour, according to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1998

The demand for water is great as is concern for water
quality. Therefore, water and wastewater professionals are in demand.
As populations grow and existing plants expand more operator a re needed.
Our graduates have the benefit of our instructor's first hand knowledge of
operation and maintenance, in depth hands-on training, state certification
and internship experience. When ERC graduates leave our doors they are
ready for employment, maybe in a town near you.